'No, I think not,' said Strider. 'They... will not openly attack a house where there are lights and many people — not until they are desperate, not while all the long leagues of Eriador still lie before us. But their power is in terror, and already some in Bree are in their clutch.'....

'Stay here, and do not go to your rooms! They are sure to have found out which those are.... We will all remain together and bar this window and the door. But first Nob and I will fetch your luggage.'....

... Strider and Nob returned.

'Well Masters,' said Nob, 'I've ruffled up the clothes and put in a bolster down the middle of each bed. And I made a nice imitation of your head with a brown woollen mat, Mr. Bag — Underhill, sir,' he added with a grin.

Pippin laughed. 'Very life-like!' he said. 'But what will happen when they have penetrated the disguise?'

They pushed a low chair against the door and shut the window.... [Frodo] then closed and barred the heavy inside shutters....

The hobbits lay down on their blankets...; but Strider settled himself in the chair against the door.

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 10, Strider

In the early night Frodo woke from deep sleep, suddenly, as if some sound... had disturbed him. He saw that Strider was sitting alert in his chair...; but he made no sign or movement.

Frodo soon went to sleep again; but his dreams were again troubled with the noise of wind and of galloping hoofs...; and far off he heard a horn blowing wildly. He opened his eyes, and heard a cock crowing lustily.... The first grey light of day was in the room....

As soon as Strider had roused them all, he led the way to their bedrooms. When they saw them they were glad that they had taken his advice: the windows had been forced open and were swinging, and the curtains were flapping; the beds were tossed about, and the bolsters slashed and flung upon the floor; the brown mat was torn to pieces.

'Never has such a thing happened in my time!' he cried, raising his hands in horror. 'Guests unable to sleep in their beds, and good bolsters ruined and all! What are we coming to?'

'Dark times,' said Strider. 'But for the present you may be left in peace, when you have got rid of us. We will leave at once. Never mind about breakfast: a drink and a bite standing will have to do....'

Mr. Butterbur hurried off to see that their ponies were got ready, and to fetch them a 'bite'. But very soon he came back in dismay. The ponies had vanished! The stable-doors had all been opened in the night, and they were gone....